The Whale Lighthouse

History of the Phare des Baleines

The Baleines lighthouse is an essential part of the Île de Ré heritage! It is located on the south-west coast of the island in the village of Saint-Clément-des-Baleines.
Built in 1849 and lit in 1854, it owes its name to the fact that whales used to come ashore on its coast.

At a height of 57 metres, you’ll have to climb 257 steps to reach the top, from which you can admire a breathtaking panorama of the whole of the Ile de Ré and the ocean. When the weather’s clear, you can also see the Vendée coast, the island of Oléron and La Rochelle and its wild coastline. The Baleines lighthouse has a range of 50 kilometers, warning ships of danger along the coast.

The Baleineaux lighthouse, which can be seen from the sea directly opposite, was built at the same time, but is not open to the public. It is located 3 kilometers from the coast and stands 31 meters high.

After visiting the Phare des Baleines, let yourself be tempted by its Museum and the “Vieille Tour des Baleines” built in 1682 and classified as a historic monument in 1904.

The museum explains the history of the Phare des Baleines site and how lighthouses work in general. We also recommend climbing the 112 steps of the Old Tower, which offers a lovely panorama of the coast and a different view of the Phare des Baleines. Finally, end your visit at the beach, with its fish lock visible at low tide. The Phare des Baleines site is open all year round, 7 days a week!